Hydrogen Cyanide Hydrogen cyanide(HCN), whose lethal dose is approximately 25 times smaller than that of carbon monoxide, is a very rapidly acting toxicant. The action of toxicant is due to the cyanide ion, which is formed by hydrolysis in the blood. Unlike CO, which remains primarily in the blood, cyanide ions are distributed throughout the body water and make contact with the cells of tissues and organs. If the concentration of cyanide ion is not sufficiently great to cause death. In contrast to CO, cyanide ions do not decrease the availability of oxygen but rather prevent the utilization of oxygen by cells. The heart and brain are particularly susceptible to this inhibition of cellular respiration, with bradycardia(abnormally slow heart action.), cardiac arrhythmia ( the heart can beat too fast, too slow or irregular rhythm.), and EEG brain wave activity (The electroencephalogram (EEG) is the depiction of the electrical activity occurring at the surface of the brain...